Magic In The Artist’s Studio
Francesco Clemente Studio, NoHo, Manhattan 2018. Photograph: Marco Anelli
Have you ever stepped inside an artist’s studio? I have - many times - and each time I always learn something new.
An artist’s studio is the place where they make their art. Some artists have studios in old warehouses in the city, some work in the mountains surrounded by nature, and others work side-by-side in close quarters with artist colleagues; the one thing that stays constant is that the artist’s studio is a laboratory where ideas are born and then, through relentless experimentation and hard work, transformed into works of art.
Over the past two decades in the art world, I’ve had the privilege of visiting dozens of artist studios—including the memorable experience of spending time in Alex Katz’s SoHo studio during my early days working at the Guggenheim Museum. There is nothing quite like seeing an artist surrounded by their materials, tools, and treasured books, immersed in their element. These visits offer more than just a behind-the-scenes glimpse - they provide an illuminating exchange that sheds light on the artist as both thinker and maker.
Visiting an artist’s studio provides a deeper understanding of the creative process and the person behind the work. It reveals how materials, environment, and daily rituals shape an artist’s practice, offering insights that can’t be captured just by looking at the work alone. For collectors, curators, and art anthusiasts, these encounters foster a more profound connection to the art itself. Hearing artists discuss their work in the space where it comes to life remains one of the most rewarding aspects of my career.
If you can’t make it to a studio, but want to learn more, here are some great links:
Architectural Digest: Look Inside 11 Artist’s Studios
Artsy: 9 Studios You Can Visit
The Candy Factory (a delightful short-film about artist studios in Brooklyn; highly recommend)
Marco Anelli: Artist Studios New York
T Magazine: What Happens to Artists’ Studios After They Die
Hearing artists discuss their work in the space where it comes to life remains one of the most rewarding aspects of my career and I highly recommend you to do it whenever you get the chance.
Be sure to follow my Instagram for more behind-the-scenes and artist studio visits.